Aiming for Zero Work Accidents! How to Choose the Right Protective Gloves [Environmental Measures VOL.8]

This will focus on cut injuries and chemical damage, which are believed to be common not only in labor accidents but also in near misses, explaining the characteristics of protective gloves and their proper usage.

Work that requires protective gear occurs not only in manufacturing but also in various industries. Among the many types of protective equipment, gloves in particular come in a wide variety, and there may be cases of improper use, reuse, or even instances where protective gloves are not used despite the work being hazardous. However, allowing such situations to persist leads to neglecting the "unsafe behaviors" and "unsafe conditions" discussed in VOL.3, which increases the likelihood of workplace accidents. In 2023, "cuts and abrasions" ranked 5th (5.61%) in workplace accidents, while "contact with harmful substances" ranked 13th (0.45%). However, there are likely many more near misses that did not result in accidents. This time, we will focus on the more frequent incidents of cuts and chemical injuries, discussing the characteristics of different types of protective gloves and the proper methods for their use.

• Other consumables
• Work gloves
• Other safety and hygiene products

We will introduce the basics of risk assessment and safety protective equipment to ensure the safety of workers.

Since 1988, the number of casualties from labor accidents has been decreasing, but since 2000, the situation has remained stagnant. In White Paper Vol. 2 [Winter Season Sees a Surge, Preventing Falls Before They Happen], we addressed the causes and preventive measures for falls, which are the most common type of labor accident. But why do labor accidents occur in the first place? This time, I would like to focus on protecting the safety of workers and discuss the mechanisms behind labor accidents and their prevention.

• Other consumables
• Work gloves
• Other safety and hygiene products

The Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare has established new regulations to prevent labor accidents caused by chemical substances.

Starting from April 1, 2024, it has become mandatory for workplaces that handle chemical substances such as sodium hypochlorite (bleach), sodium hydroxide, and potassium hydroxide to require the use of protective eyewear. 【Details of the New Regulations】 ■ Workplace Structure 1. Workers handling chemical substances must wear appropriate protective gear, such as protective eyewear. 2. Establish a system for self-management. (1) Appoint a chemical substance manager. (2) Appoint a protective gear management supervisor. ■ Prevention of Direct Contact with Harmful Chemical Substances When engaging workers in tasks that involve manufacturing or handling chemical substances that are skin or eye irritants, corrosive to skin, or can be absorbed through the skin and cause health issues, it is necessary to require workers to use protective gear to prevent injuries, depending on the harmfulness of the substances. For more details, please refer to the materials.

• Other consumables
• Glasses and goggles
• Other safety and hygiene products

Compatible with a wide range of solvents. Can be used as inner gloves.

【Features】 ■Compatible with a wide range of solvents ■Ambidextrous disposable type ■Can be used as inner gloves ■European standards EN420/374 *For more details, please refer to the PDF document or feel free to contact us.

• Work gloves

A cutter with a safety design that automatically retracts the blade when cutting is finished. It's a precaution against accidents when cutting cardboard and packaging materials!

The safety cutter "SecuPro 625" solves the problem of cutting thick materials like cardboard, where "it's hard to cut without applying force," but "applying force increases the risk of cutting accidents." The "SecuPro 625" is designed so that the blade does not extend unless held. 【Features】 ■ The blade automatically retracts into the body when it is away from the material being cut. ■ Durable aluminum body. ■ Left-handed compatible. * For more details, please refer to the PDF document or feel free to contact us. * A video demonstrating how the blade automatically retracts is available.

• Cutter/Scissors

Thin chemical-resistant gloves made with three types of materials and featuring three characteristics!

"Try Lights" are gloves made from three types of materials: natural latex, neoprene, and nitrile, each possessing the three characteristics of "stretchability," "chemical resistance," and "durability." The surface is embossed, making them effective for tasks such as cleaning where items are easily dropped. As thin gloves, they offer a wide range of chemical resistance and serve as excellent inner gloves for chemical work that requires thicker gloves. 【Features】 ■ Three types of materials providing "stretchability," "chemical resistance," and "durability" ■ Slip-resistant processing ■ Wide range of chemical resistance ■ No water-resistant powder ■ Surface treated with chlorine for sterilization ■ FDA (U.S. Food and Drug Administration) certified *For more details, please refer to the PDF document or feel free to contact us.

• Work gloves

In construction work, it is important not only to focus on the building itself but also to create a safe environment for construction vehicles and workers to move around. The Hyper CLT plywood is a lightweight wooden board that utilizes CLT. It can be used as temporary materials to support temporary roads, material delivery routes, heavy machinery work yards, material storage areas, and worker pathways, rather than as structural materials for buildings. The 5×10 board weighs approximately 230 kg, making it relatively lightweight and easy to install, remove, or relocate depending on site conditions. This allows for the boards to be moved in accordance with the progress of the construction, making it easier to effectively utilize limited space. Additionally, the natural texture of the wood blends well with construction sites in residential areas and around public facilities, contributing to considerations for metal noise and summer heat reflection. The Hyper CLT plywood is a registered technology under the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism's NETIS system, designated as "TH-250021-A." It can be incorporated into highly public construction projects and exterior and earthworks, promoting the use of new technologies and environmental considerations. Wooden plywood, NETIS, civil engineering, CLT, lightweight wooden boards. A new option for temporary materials using wood is available for construction sites.

● The production time for casting prototypes can be shortened! Since model production is not required, the time needed to create prototypes, which previously took about a month, can be significantly reduced. ● Model costs can be reduced! By directly producing sand molds from 3D data, there is no need for model production costs. If changes to the model are necessary, they can be addressed by modifying the 3D data. ● Similar products with different shapes and dimensions can be prototyped simultaneously! Different products, such as similar shapes or variations in dimensions, can be molded at the same time in a single molding process. This allows for the verification of multiple types in a short period.

● The production time for casting prototypes can be shortened! Since model production is not required, the time needed to create prototypes, which previously took about a month, can be significantly reduced. ● Model costs can be reduced! By directly producing sand molds from 3D data, there is no need for model production costs. If changes to the model are necessary, they can be addressed by modifying the 3D data. ● Similar products with different shapes and dimensions can be prototyped simultaneously! Different products, such as similar shapes or variations in dimensions, can be molded at the same time in one molding process. This allows for the verification of multiple types in a short period.

Metal cracks are one of the concerns in equipment maintenance operations. Conventional welding methods for repairs often change the base material around the crack due to heat, leading to residual stress and deformation, which constantly carries the risk of "crack recurrence" and "secondary damage." Hinode Waterworks Co., Ltd.'s "Mechanical Stitching Method" is a new technique that allows for the repair of metal cracks without applying heat. By using special bolts and reinforcement plates, the crack is physically removed without affecting the base material at all. Repairs can be made even in environments where open flames cannot be used. Since no heat is applied, the disassembly of equipment is minimized. For more details, please contact us or download the catalog.

Metal cracks are one of the concerns in equipment maintenance operations. Repairs using conventional welding methods often change the base material around the crack due to heat, leading to residual stress and deformation, which constantly carries the risk of "crack recurrence" and "secondary damage." Hinode Waterworks Equipment Co., Ltd.'s "Mechanical Stitching Method" is a new technique that allows for the repair of metal cracks without applying heat. By using special bolts and reinforcement plates, the crack is physically removed without affecting the base material at all. Repairs can be carried out even in environments where open flames cannot be used. Since no heat is applied, the disassembly of equipment is minimized. For more details, please contact us or download the catalog.